II Corinthians 4:7-15: "Power of God, Not Ourselves"
Paul continues to defend the new covenant gospel he is preaching and himself against the false brethren. Paul's main thrust in this section will be that the gospel is affective, not because of the power, wisdom, or persuasiveness of the presenter, but because of the power of God. We are but clay pots, or instruments that God uses. Apart from him, Paul recognizes he would be nothing but a salesman, dependant completely on his abilities for success.
Paul begins, "But we have this treasure in earthen vessels". The "treasure" Paul is speaking of is the new covenant gospel which has now been revealed. In contrast to the incalculable power and glory of Christ, spoken of in the previous section, Paul is showing that as merely fallen, corrupt humans, we have this wonderful power within us as believers. What an amazing thought to understand and recognize your utter sinfulness in contrast to our perfect and Holy Father, and yet because of the wonderful gospel, we can have this power and forgiveness within us. MacArthur writes, "The vessels Paul describes here were just common pots: cheap, breakable, easily replaceable, and virtually valueless . . . [they] were most frequently used for ignoble, everyday purposes . . . such clay pots had no intrinsic value; their only worth came from the valuables they contained or the service they performed". With this we can understand that Paul was humbly recognizing his role as a worthless vessel, whose only value came from power of God he had within. To the charge from the false apostles disparaging remarks of him, MacArthur writes, "Paul embraced it and turned it into an affirmation of his authenticity.. The apostle acknowledged his human limitation and weaknesses, even describing himself as the 'foremost' of sinners (I Tim. 1:15)". If we understand God, we understand He deserves all the glory. As a believer, our goal should be to humble ourselves and give God all the glory. In God's plan that is why he uses "earthen vessels" to share his gospel and convert lives. This way we know that is was all God working in and through us. It is because of this that Paul writes, "so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of Him".
Paul continues to show how his weakness and frailty further showed his authenticity, and God's empowerment for his ministry. He writes, "we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but no forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed". In human terms this sounds like a pretty horrible and unsuccessful life. But in the paradoxical life of the believer, especially in the times Paul was living in, these were just further proof that he was in fact a child of God. It isn't until we are weak that Christ can be strong in us. Paul wrote in II Cor. 12: 9-10, "Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong". It is with this understanding that Paul could look at the affliction he had received for Christ's name and not feel crushed. It is only with that understanding that Paul could be perplexed, but not despair. It is only with that understanding he could be persecuted and struck down, but not forsaken or destroyed. MacArthur writes, "Paul's humility and weakness did not cripple or destroy him but instead strengthened him. Paradoxically, he found encouragement in his frailty, because then the power of God flowed unhindered through him".
Reflecting on the previous paradoxes Paul spoke of he writes, "always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus". It was Paul's identification with the death of Christ that led to his persecution and suffering, and this was further authentication of his true apostleship. MacArthur points out, "[The false apostles] argued that Paul suffered because God was chastening him for his secret life of sin. But in reality Paul suffered at the hands of evil men because of his identification with Jesus Christ. Those who hate the Lord persecute His people. Therefore Paul's trials, far from being a sign of God's displeasure, were actually a badge of honor". Interestingly, Paul writes that it is the "carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body". Paul was showing to the Corinthians that when we identify with Christ as our Savior, persecution and suffering will be a part of our lives. It is in fact the very things that the false apostles were trying to use as a way to prove Paul was not a true apostle, that indeed authenticated his ministry. He was suffering just as Christ had suffered. He continues to explain the cost of his apostleship, and the sacrifice of the life of the believer, "for we who live are constantly being delivered over to death for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh". Matt. 24:9 reads, "Then they will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name". The world will hate all true followers of Christ and they will be subjected to persecution and ridicule, just as Christ was. This gave Paul encouragement and hope to wear the scars of his apostleship knowing this further proved his fight for truth. Therefore, what we can take from Paul's words are that the reason believers can be persecuted, afflicted, struck down and not feel defeated or discouraged is because 1) They know they are doing this for Christ's sake, and this is further proof they are a child of his, and 2) Only when they are made weak and lowly can the power of God truly be unleashed in their lives.
Paul continues with the paradoxes, "so death works in us, but life in you". What Paul is referring to here is the death he faced everyday because of the work of the gospel he was spreading throughout the world. Because of the persecution of the church, Paul literally risked his life everyday for the sake of being able to preach the gospel to the Corinthians. He desired to bring them the spiritual life that Christ can bring, but faced the possibility of physical death every time he preached it. You could understand Paul's frustration with the Corinthians even better after hearing from this perspective. He had risked his life and faced many trials and persecution for the sake of the Corinthians to bring them the gospel of Christ, and here they were listening to false apostles blaspheme Paul, and some were giving them ear. Paul's goal, however, was not to blast the Corinthians for their foolishness, but rather to show them the gospel and pray for their salvation.
Although Paul did face death, he writes, "but having the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, 'I believed, therefore I spoke,' we also believe, therefore we also speak". Paul would remain to his convictions regardless of the outcome. He would not do what the false apostles were doing, which would be to water-down, or change the gospel to make it more appealing to human ears. Paul was saying that because he had the same faith and believed in the same thing as the Psalmist who wrote, "I believed, therefore I spoke" (Ps. 116:10), that was why he continued to speak and be bold despite what affliction this might bring him. MacArthur writes, "His unwavering faith compelled him to preach (cf. Rom. 1:15; I Cor. 9:16); it was impossible for him to believe the gospel truth but not long to proclaim it. Those who lack conviction in their preaching do so because they lack conviction in their hearts". Paul then encouraged the Corinthians saying "we also believe, therefore we also speak". This was a nice way of saying, "if you are a follower of Christ you will speak the truth of his new covenant gospel".
Paul could speak boldly and confidently "knowing that He who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and will present us with you". This understanding and the conviction Paul had of this was what drove him. Paul knew that this world would be tough the moment he was converted and God told him he would have to suffer for His name. However, he knew this was momentary and light compared to the glory he would attain with Christ one day. Rom. 8:18, "For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us". Paul was confident that God would raise him and the Corinthian believers up one day to be holy and blameless in His sight for those who truly loved Him and followed Him.
Knowing all this about Paul, and his true heart for ministry, the readers could confidently agree with Paul when he wrote, "for all things are for your sakes, so that the grace which is spreading to more and more people may cause the giving of thanks to abound to the glory of God". Paul's humility shines forth brightest in this section. He shows his readers that all that he does, all that he sacrifices is done for their sakes. Nothing Paul does is for himself, but rather for the "glory of God". Paul has only God's best interest in mind as he boldly and confidently proclaimed the gospel. In turn, this lead for a care and conviction for the souls of the lost, most specifically those at Corinth. MacArthur concludes, "God's astounding plan is to use common clay pots to carry the priceless treasure of the glorious gospel to needy sinners. As they humbly, faithfully serve Him, His power flows through them to others. The final result is that more and more people will worship and glorify God, crying out, 'To Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, be blessing and honor and glory and dominion forever and ever' (Rev. 5:13)".
Paul begins, "But we have this treasure in earthen vessels". The "treasure" Paul is speaking of is the new covenant gospel which has now been revealed. In contrast to the incalculable power and glory of Christ, spoken of in the previous section, Paul is showing that as merely fallen, corrupt humans, we have this wonderful power within us as believers. What an amazing thought to understand and recognize your utter sinfulness in contrast to our perfect and Holy Father, and yet because of the wonderful gospel, we can have this power and forgiveness within us. MacArthur writes, "The vessels Paul describes here were just common pots: cheap, breakable, easily replaceable, and virtually valueless . . . [they] were most frequently used for ignoble, everyday purposes . . . such clay pots had no intrinsic value; their only worth came from the valuables they contained or the service they performed". With this we can understand that Paul was humbly recognizing his role as a worthless vessel, whose only value came from power of God he had within. To the charge from the false apostles disparaging remarks of him, MacArthur writes, "Paul embraced it and turned it into an affirmation of his authenticity.. The apostle acknowledged his human limitation and weaknesses, even describing himself as the 'foremost' of sinners (I Tim. 1:15)". If we understand God, we understand He deserves all the glory. As a believer, our goal should be to humble ourselves and give God all the glory. In God's plan that is why he uses "earthen vessels" to share his gospel and convert lives. This way we know that is was all God working in and through us. It is because of this that Paul writes, "so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of Him".
Paul continues to show how his weakness and frailty further showed his authenticity, and God's empowerment for his ministry. He writes, "we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but no forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed". In human terms this sounds like a pretty horrible and unsuccessful life. But in the paradoxical life of the believer, especially in the times Paul was living in, these were just further proof that he was in fact a child of God. It isn't until we are weak that Christ can be strong in us. Paul wrote in II Cor. 12: 9-10, "Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong". It is with this understanding that Paul could look at the affliction he had received for Christ's name and not feel crushed. It is only with that understanding that Paul could be perplexed, but not despair. It is only with that understanding he could be persecuted and struck down, but not forsaken or destroyed. MacArthur writes, "Paul's humility and weakness did not cripple or destroy him but instead strengthened him. Paradoxically, he found encouragement in his frailty, because then the power of God flowed unhindered through him".
Reflecting on the previous paradoxes Paul spoke of he writes, "always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus". It was Paul's identification with the death of Christ that led to his persecution and suffering, and this was further authentication of his true apostleship. MacArthur points out, "[The false apostles] argued that Paul suffered because God was chastening him for his secret life of sin. But in reality Paul suffered at the hands of evil men because of his identification with Jesus Christ. Those who hate the Lord persecute His people. Therefore Paul's trials, far from being a sign of God's displeasure, were actually a badge of honor". Interestingly, Paul writes that it is the "carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body". Paul was showing to the Corinthians that when we identify with Christ as our Savior, persecution and suffering will be a part of our lives. It is in fact the very things that the false apostles were trying to use as a way to prove Paul was not a true apostle, that indeed authenticated his ministry. He was suffering just as Christ had suffered. He continues to explain the cost of his apostleship, and the sacrifice of the life of the believer, "for we who live are constantly being delivered over to death for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh". Matt. 24:9 reads, "Then they will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name". The world will hate all true followers of Christ and they will be subjected to persecution and ridicule, just as Christ was. This gave Paul encouragement and hope to wear the scars of his apostleship knowing this further proved his fight for truth. Therefore, what we can take from Paul's words are that the reason believers can be persecuted, afflicted, struck down and not feel defeated or discouraged is because 1) They know they are doing this for Christ's sake, and this is further proof they are a child of his, and 2) Only when they are made weak and lowly can the power of God truly be unleashed in their lives.
Paul continues with the paradoxes, "so death works in us, but life in you". What Paul is referring to here is the death he faced everyday because of the work of the gospel he was spreading throughout the world. Because of the persecution of the church, Paul literally risked his life everyday for the sake of being able to preach the gospel to the Corinthians. He desired to bring them the spiritual life that Christ can bring, but faced the possibility of physical death every time he preached it. You could understand Paul's frustration with the Corinthians even better after hearing from this perspective. He had risked his life and faced many trials and persecution for the sake of the Corinthians to bring them the gospel of Christ, and here they were listening to false apostles blaspheme Paul, and some were giving them ear. Paul's goal, however, was not to blast the Corinthians for their foolishness, but rather to show them the gospel and pray for their salvation.
Although Paul did face death, he writes, "but having the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, 'I believed, therefore I spoke,' we also believe, therefore we also speak". Paul would remain to his convictions regardless of the outcome. He would not do what the false apostles were doing, which would be to water-down, or change the gospel to make it more appealing to human ears. Paul was saying that because he had the same faith and believed in the same thing as the Psalmist who wrote, "I believed, therefore I spoke" (Ps. 116:10), that was why he continued to speak and be bold despite what affliction this might bring him. MacArthur writes, "His unwavering faith compelled him to preach (cf. Rom. 1:15; I Cor. 9:16); it was impossible for him to believe the gospel truth but not long to proclaim it. Those who lack conviction in their preaching do so because they lack conviction in their hearts". Paul then encouraged the Corinthians saying "we also believe, therefore we also speak". This was a nice way of saying, "if you are a follower of Christ you will speak the truth of his new covenant gospel".
Paul could speak boldly and confidently "knowing that He who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and will present us with you". This understanding and the conviction Paul had of this was what drove him. Paul knew that this world would be tough the moment he was converted and God told him he would have to suffer for His name. However, he knew this was momentary and light compared to the glory he would attain with Christ one day. Rom. 8:18, "For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us". Paul was confident that God would raise him and the Corinthian believers up one day to be holy and blameless in His sight for those who truly loved Him and followed Him.
Knowing all this about Paul, and his true heart for ministry, the readers could confidently agree with Paul when he wrote, "for all things are for your sakes, so that the grace which is spreading to more and more people may cause the giving of thanks to abound to the glory of God". Paul's humility shines forth brightest in this section. He shows his readers that all that he does, all that he sacrifices is done for their sakes. Nothing Paul does is for himself, but rather for the "glory of God". Paul has only God's best interest in mind as he boldly and confidently proclaimed the gospel. In turn, this lead for a care and conviction for the souls of the lost, most specifically those at Corinth. MacArthur concludes, "God's astounding plan is to use common clay pots to carry the priceless treasure of the glorious gospel to needy sinners. As they humbly, faithfully serve Him, His power flows through them to others. The final result is that more and more people will worship and glorify God, crying out, 'To Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, be blessing and honor and glory and dominion forever and ever' (Rev. 5:13)".
posted by amesfam | 8:40 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home